November 1 is the Day of Bulgarian National Revival Leaders, one of the brightest Bulgarian holidays, which pays tribute to those who contribute to the development of the cultural spirit of Bulgarians. On November 1 the new edition of "Plovdiv Jazz Festival" started - an event worthy to be linked to the big holiday because of the talent of musicians and photographers who present their work for five consecutive days. Quality music has always been and will remain one of the most important factors in building culture. This prestigious jazz festival has existed for years and world-famous musicians have performed on its stage. Thanks to jazz singer Miroslava Katsarova who has been the main organizer of the event program for a second yea, this edition is very colourful and interesting.

Here is what Miroslava Katsarova told us about the festival:

"This year the festival starts on the Day of Enlighteners. The five main concerts will be held at the "Boris Hristov" House of Culture. The festival has opened with two photo exhibitions. Dilyana Florentin presents 20 black and white portraits of Bulgarian musicians. Another photographer, Pavel Tchervenkov, presents huge photographic panels showing fragments of Sofia courtyards. These photo exhibitions will be accompanied by jazz performances of Peter Momchev and Shibil Benev quartet. The first concert of the festival is a continuation of last year's ‘Four Ladies Sing Jazz.’ This is a project produced by "Plovdiv Jazz Festival" and the concert this time focuses on bossa nova. So the concert has the title "Four ladies sing bossa nova."  These ladies are Hilda Kazasyan, Beloslava, Andronia Popova and me - Miroslava Katsarova. Together we will perform our favourite bossa nova pieces in arrangements of musicians we work with - Miroslav Turiyski /piano/ Hristo Yotzov /percussion/ Veselin Veselinov /bass/ etc. On November 2 the event continues with Latino rhythms and visitors will be able to see Brazilian electro formation "Zuco103" on the stage of the "Boris Hristov House of Culture. The band will present their new album "Etno Chic.” The third evening offers two concerts on the same stage. The first is a concert of trombonist Georgi Kornazov and his French band. He will present a very serious concert entitled "The Magic of Kenny Wheeler" - Canadian trumpeter, who left this world two years ago. Bulgarian musicians have made their own arrangements on some of the plays of the famous trumpeter and vocalist is David Lynx - one of the best contemporary jazz singers of Europe. After that come Kamelia Todorova and Angel Zaberski Jr. with a project entitled „More than you know."

The program of the "Plovdiv Jazz Fest 2016" continues on 4 November with a concert of Richard Bona - a virtuoso performer. Together with his jazz quintet he will present part of his new album with Afro Cuban music, entitled „Heritage“. This edition of the festival closes with Mike Stern and Dave Weckl Band on the 5th of November.

There are two other events that are distinctive for "Plovdiv Jazz Festival" this year. The first one is a youth competition which allows young musicians to send their compositions to a jury. Winners will be announced during a concert in Bee Bop Cafe, the second stage of the festival.

Another important event is the establishment of an award for lifetime achievement in jazz. The award goes to guitarist Ognyan Videv.

During the program of the "Plovdiv Jazz Fest - 2016" concerts will have "Hot Club De Plovdiv," singer Petya Dankova, Minimum Quartet & Lily Ilieva, as well as Nikolay Karageorgiev Quartet.

English: Alexander Markov

Audio features:

.  Brazilian band "Zuco 103" performing "My fly."

.   "Capriccio 4" that Ognyan Videv performs together with Theodosius Spasov.

.  "Baby Plum" by Jacky Terrasson